Milo’s Bocce Garden is located at 5201 Wilson Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110. While located, in what has been referred to by the New York Times as “an incubator of baseball talent,” The Hill, this is totally Italian with an American touch added to it. It’s definitely a local hangout. If you visit, most of the patrons will likely be friends or neighbors, everybody discussing whatever. Family and friends meeting for lunch, drinks, bocce or just to visit.

The Hill is known for their fine Italian restaurants and this is one of them, however, your meal will come on a Styrofoam plate, waitress wearing jeans and TV’s blaring with sports news. While this is a local hangout, don’t discount the fact that it still offers some great Italian food without breaking the bank, plus they have American cuisines that you might expect at a local hangout, burgers, chicken sandwiches, etc.

Like most buildings down on The Hill, it is older, but it is very well maintained and clean enough to eat off the floor. Good food, good prices and good service with the atmosphere, which is free, makes this a place that you don’t want to go for lunch or just dinner, but to spend the afternoon or evening there, maybe even attempting to play some bocce. Get the pronunciation down before visiting or they will correct you. There is a lot of pride surrounding this game.

Their Facebook fans give Milo’s a 4.5 star with 1187 likes and more than 7,000 visitors, urbanspoon gives it an unbelievable 94% on 133 votes. The Google ranking is a little shocking, giving it 3.8 star with only 13 reviews and few were current. I’m going to lean towards the urbanspoon rating as being the most reliable. No, its not a 5 star restaurant, but they aren’t trying to be, that’s not their deal.

Milo’s most expensive entree is only $12.75 (spaghetti with 2 homemade meatballs), they offer a broad selection of beer and other alcoholic beverages. I’m pretty sure the owners of the 5 Star restaurants on The Hill hang out at this place. It’s casual dining so leave your suites and dresses at home, put on your jeans and spend an afternoon or evening with the locals at Milos.

Recently I have been visiting Milo’s on Monday nights and it is the same quality food and service that I experienced last year. My new favorite appetizer is their deep fried pepper jack cheese cubes.

We recommend Milo’s Tavern and we give it a 4.5 Star Rating.

We published this post March 28, 2015, revised and republished it on February 15, 2015.